For the Defense - Vol. 9, Issue 3 - 25

ordinary advocates but representatives of a government that does not have an interest in notching victories but in seeing justice done. I will
ensure that I lead by example in this regard and establish the right culture to both pursue cases within our office and to support the District
Attorneys across the Commonwealth in doing the same.
3. What measures will you take to investigate and rectify wrongful convictions in Pennsylvania?
I will ensure that my office reviews allegations of wrongful convictions in a thorough and timely manner. As Attorney General, I will also sit on
the pardons board, which means I will play a leading role in determining when someone has satisfied their debt to society.
4. How do you plan to address the issues of racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal justice system?
I believe the first step to solving any problem is acknowledging that there is one. There are two criminal justice systems - one for those who
can afford representation and one for those who cannot. Justice should not be determined by the number in your bank account. Nor should
justice be determined by your zip code. I will work with District Attorneys, public defenders, advocates, and the defense bar across the state to
evaluate these disparities and apply best practices to ensure justice is rendered equally. I am committed to ensuring that those who work under
me are fully trained regarding implicit bias, diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices, and trauma-informed approaches to not just criminal
cases but also civil matters. My office will work with police departments and District Attorneys' offices across the Commonwealth to ensure that
these resources are available to them as well and will work to encourage the implementation of best practices at every level.
5. What role do you see for criminal defense attorneys in ensuring a fair and balanced justice system, and how would you support them in this
role?
The job of the Attorney General is to be the people's lawyer and ensure that justice is served fairly across Pennsylvania. The Attorney General
is not just our Commonwealth's top prosecutor, but also someone firmly invested in uncovering the truth. I spent eight years doing just that
as Auditor General and I took on both parties in doing so. I have always been committed to transparency, balance, and fairness. I believe
criminal defense attorneys do that same advocacy every day when they bring cases of wrongful conviction or prosecutorial misconduct or
other miscarriages of justice to the Attorney General's office. I am committed to strengthening the public defender system and having an open
dialogue with criminal defense lawyers throughout my term to discuss how to ensure the people of Pennsylvania are getting a fair shake.
6. What is your view on the current state of the criminal justice reform movement in Pennsylvania and what your approach would be to further
these reforms, e.g., bail reform, indigent defense funding?
I believe these reform movements are highlighting important disparities and inequalities in the current justice system, which should be taken
seriously and addressed in a way that keeps our communities safe, but also sets people up for success after their interactions with the justice
system are over. It is clear, as I have noted above, that there are real problems that must be solved to ensure equal justice for all, and I will always
be open to discussions and efforts to improve the justice system.
Dave Sunday
Sunday served in the United States Navy, then attended Penn State University and Widener University
Commonwealth Law School. He clerked for Common Pleas Judge Joseph Adams and then joined the York
County District Attorney's Office. During his tenure there he was the chief deputy prosecutor of litigation.
Attorney Sunday was then elected York County District Attorney in 2017. He focused on public safety
and the opioid epidemic and co-founded the York Opioid Collaborative with the coroner's office. You can
find information about Dave Sunday, the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General, at his
website, Dave Sunday for AG.
Vol. 9, Issue 3 l For The Defense 25

https://www.davesundayforag.com/about

For the Defense - Vol. 9, Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of For the Defense - Vol. 9, Issue 3